Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has extended a compelling invitation to South-East entrepreneurs, urging them to harness the state’s vast natural resources and investor-friendly environment for profitable business ventures.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit Roadshow in Enugu, the governor emphasized his administration’s strategic investments in infrastructure over the past six years as a solid foundation for economic growth.
“Above all, investors can leverage on the abundant potentials of the state in agriculture, livestock production, the extractive industry, renewable energy sources and a large human capital base of over 10 million population, among others, to invest in the state with good returns on investment,” Governor Mohammed stated.
The two-day summit, themed “Rebuilding a Resilient Economy: Optimizing Investment & Partnerships,” is scheduled to hold in Bauchi on October 8 and 9, 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, the governor noted that Bauchi was now strategically positioned as a preferred destination for both domestic and foreign investors.
“Admittedly, we have become part of globalization. Our high population growth and expanding middle class create conditions conducive to market attractiveness in terms of mass consumption and infrastructure development,” Hammayo said.
He added, “In a world marked by ever-growing economic and social interdependence, the challenge is to develop genuine areas of shared prosperity. This involves forging new types of economic and socio-political relations based on the idea of mutual benefit between partners.
“In this type of relationship, some contribute their financing capability and their technology, while others offer unique opportunities to be seized, and rare resources to be tapped, all in a fair and equitable exchange.”
According to Hammayo, the summit aims to bring together key stakeholders from across the investment spectrum—government officials, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and prospective investors.
Objectives of the summit include attracting new investments, showcasing viable projects through exhibitions and plenary sessions, supporting SMEs with increased visibility and access to partnerships, and encouraging strategic collaborations through MoUs and joint ventures.
In his keynote address, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, former Minister of Power and Chairman of the event, praised Governor Mohammed’s deliberate efforts to connect with the South-East business community.
“We see this as a bright moment that the governor recognises the role of South-East and decided to come with this road show. It will be a success in October,” Nebo said.
“Anybody who thinks that government alone can change the lot of Nigerians, and grow the industry, is making a mistake; it is the organised private sector (OPS) that will do that.
“Bauchi is doing great by creating enabling environment for commerce, industries, mines and agriculture to thrive… Bauchi is a mineral-rich state and this is an opportunity for people to visit and invest in the state.”
Humphrey Ngonadi, President of the South-East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), represented by the Director General, Dr. Daniel Ochi, also commended the initiative.
“We are impressed by the information shared and will ensure our members turn up in Bauchi to explore and invest,” Ngonadi said.
He highlighted that SECCIMA, which also oversees the South-East and South-South regions, comprises 17 city chambers, with the Enugu Chamber of Commerce (ECCIMA) being the largest.
Other dignitaries at the event included Odega Jideonwo, President of ECCIMA; Dr. Ifedi Okwena, Executive Secretary of the South-East Business and Investment Summit; and several business leaders from across the region.
